No matter the type of business, everyone in Southern Indiana is happy to see the Sherman Minton Bridge open to traffic. The more than 160 day shutdown on the double-decker bridge hit local businesses hard.
One of those businesses was the Chiropractic office of Dr. Phillip Seng. Seng said his practice took a hit as commuters were forced to spend extra time in the car, and had less time for office visits. He isn’t sure if they’ve all come back since the bridge is back open, but he hopes they eventually do. “I don’t know,” he said. “It’s too soon to know if they’ve come back because everyone has to figure their life and schedule out again.” Kim Huber, manager of Joe Huber’s Family Restaurant, said they noticed the impact right away. “Initially we lost 40 to 50 percent of our business,” she said. “The week the bridge shutdown was the week of the National Quartet Convention in Louisville and we always draw a lot of those folks. A lot of them didn’t come.” Huber said once everyone adjusted, business picked up and on average was only down about 30 percent from where it was prior to the closure. Once the Sherman Minton re-opened, she said she noticed larger crowds right away. She hopes they continue to rise. Businesses are not only hoping to bring their Louisville area costumers back out of loyalty, they have launched a web site www.openbridgesindiana.com to ad incentive. The site contains upcoming events on the sunnyside of the river as well as specials being offered by local businesses. Huber’s is one of the businesses with a bridge special that will continue through the month of March. Patrons can get buy one get one free country platters, which includes all the traditional Huber favorites. Huber said the special is good for folks who live on either side of the river. “We aren’t checking driver’s license,” she said. “The special is for everyone.” Furniture stores, tanning studios, Derby Dinner Playhouse, jewelry stores and many more are also offering specials at the web site.